I have been noticing lately that Jesus spent much time around boats, in boats, on boats, and with fisherman.
“One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water’s edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.” (Luke 5: 1-3, NLT)
Jesus notices two empty boats but only steps into one of them. He had to pick which one He was going to get into. And He selected Simon, also known as Peter.
And this got me to thinking about something …
Peter had experienced Jesus getting into his boat. Jesus joined Peter thus allowing Peter to experience the presence of Jesus in his boat, for himself. No one described what it was like. He knew firsthand. He knew what it was to have the companionship of Jesus in his boat, out at sea. On still waters. And probably at times, on stormy seas.
Peter was a fisherman by trade. Being out on his boat was a part of his ordinary, run of the mill day. And Jesus joined him there.
And Jesus joins each of us as well – right in the midst of our ordinary, mundane days.ĆĀ He is there with us in the middle of our stresses and our smoothly running routines. He is present in the challenges in which we find ourselves. He is with us as we change diapers, do the carpools, help with homework, go food shopping and cook dinner. Or perhaps pick up the take-out. He is with us in the Dunkin’ drivethroughs, or Starbucks or McD’s. He is in our minivans, our sedans, and our SUV’s. He joins us in Bible Studies as well as in the doctor’s waiting room.
And here’s the thing … He chooses to join us each day, right in the smack middle of our days. No matter how they are going, good or bad. He’s there.
That day on the shore, Jesus picked Peter’s boat to get into, probably something Peter never forgot. Soon after, when he was out at sea in the middle of a storm, Peter noticed Jesus walking towards them on the water. Peter calls to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” (Matthew 14: 28, NLT) And Jesus replies, “Yes, come”.
“So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.” (Matthew 14: 29, NLT)
See Peter had learned, whether in the boat or out of the boat, he would rather be with Jesus when the storms of life hit.
And so may it be for us. Jesus will be our stability when everything around us is stormy and shaky. He comes right where we are.
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
(Isaiah 33:6, NIV)
Today I am joining … Unforced Rhythms and Sharing His Beauty and Mon. Musings and Inspire Me Mon. and Making Your Home Sing and Motivation Mon. .
Love this post, Joanne! Love that He chooses to get in the boat with us and that He is our stability no matter what else is going on. Needed that encouragement today! Much love, my friend.
Holly, out of all the boats that had to be on the water that day, Jesus chose Peter’s. And He chooses yours too, friend. And mine š Remember that this week, whatever it holds for you!
He chooses to get into our boat, even if it’s messy, and doesn’t offer snide comments about how we should “clean up our boat.” Thanks for that encouraging word. (stopping by for a visit from Sharing His Beauty.
I loved that you added “no matter if it’s messy”. Just think how messy & smelly those fishing boats had to be & yet Jesus still chose to get in. Thank you for sharing your insight! Blessings!
We both wrote about boats today. š I love your imagery that Jesus is always with us. He joins us in the everyday. I love that. Thanks, Joanne.
I am going to need to hop over to read your post, Lisa š I can tend to think He is in the “spiritual” and forget He is in the everyday as well. I love that He shows up, and goes through my ordinary life with me.
Yes. This! Jesus in the middle of our ordinary days. I’m leading a Bible Study this fall looking at Women in the Bible and I am finding the same theme is true there. That God & Jesus show up WHERE WE ARE! The women at the empty tomb were the first to know of the resurrection not because they were super special but because they were going about the business of what women would be doing. Oh, I’m so happy He joins me in my days. Right where I am. Thank you for linking at Unforced Rhythms.
Beth, your comment so touched me. I love that Jesus displayed Himself first to the women because they were just doing what they always did – being women. How freeing when we come to realize we do not need to be super special. We only need to be ourselves & He is right there to join us. Thank you for sharing & blessing me in a big way today!